STRAW & TIMBER
CRAFTSMEN
REMODEL, NATURAL FINISHES AND BEYOND
NATURAL FINISHES
CLAY PLASTERS
LIME PLASTERS
NATURAL PAINTS
AMERICAN CLAY
ADOBE FLOORS
ADOBE BLOCK WALLS
NATUARAL STAINS AND WOOD FINISHES
CUSTOM WOOD WORK
INTERIOR TRIM
DECKS
TIMBER FRAME
CABINETS
DISPLAY BOARDS
ENTERTAINMENT CAB.
ARBORS
PERGOLAS
TRELLIS
GREENHOUSES
SITE SPECIFIC CUSTOM DESIGN
HIGH PERFORMANCE
FOR COLD CLIMATE
PASSIVE OR ACTIVE SYSTEMS
PERMACULTURE FUNCTIONS
ENERGY RETROFIT AND WEATHERIZATION
CADD DESIGN
FULL HOUSES
SMALL PROJECTS
REMODELS
KITCHEN AND BATH REMODEL
DESIGN
PARTIAL UPGRADES
FULL REMODELS
CUSTOM WORK
RANGE OF SERVICE PAST AND PRESENT:
Remodels
Kitchen
Baths
Additions
Energy Efficient improvements
Historical restoration
Consulting
General Contracting
Design
Framing
Log and Timber work
Wall finishes
Natural Plasters
Finish Carpentry
Cabinets
Specialty projects
Paints and finishes
Decks
Garden structures
Green Houses
SOLAR HOT AIR FURNACES
CUSTOM MADE SOLAR FURNACES PROVIDE FREE DAY HEATING IN THE WINTER MONTHS. WE CAN MAKE MANY SIZES AS WELL AS PV DIRECT OR AC. CONTACT STRAW & TIMBER FOR MORE INFORMATION
“We believe that improving existing structures is the most sustainable way. So we will continue to do exceptional remodels in form, function and efficiency. We also believe that our solutions to our limited resources and health concerns of individuals, communities and the planet exist with the way we build new structures from this day forward. We are here to be a part of the new path forward in education, promotion, building and joy in the way we live and the places we dwell.”
DSC, Dusty Szymanski Carpentry has been involved in carpentry for 20 years.
Building and designing began very young with grade school projects in solar home design (both passive and PV). At the age of 16 he entered the professional world of construction as a carpenter apprentice/laborer on a custom home framing crew.Looking for more knowledge and experience Dusty went on to work with Painters, deck builders and eventual found a match working for 2 different remodel contractors.Working with these master craftsmen in the remodel/renovation industry in the historic district of Rochester NY,Dusty learned and honed all aspects of residential construction to include, concrete, electrical, plumbing, drywall, plaster, flooring, tile, roofing, interior and exterior trim.
After completing an Assoc. degree with a focus in natural science Dusty struck out for the west.
With a lifetime of outdoor experience and interest he went on to Instruct for the National Leadership School (NOLS) in Lander WY, and in the seasons between passed through various towns in the west leaving little piles of sawdust in exchange for a living.
In 1996 Dusty moved to Pitkin, CO to teach for the Wilderness Medicine Institute.
Teaching was as natural as building and the subject of wilderness medicine was a wonderful medium to evoke passion and compassion in people.Teaching required travel all over the western USA and Alaska, in which time Dusty developed a 10 day program in Nepal for local guides and porters as well as helped to develop the India programming in its conception.The spaces in between teaching and guiding were filled with various construction projects from log saunas, Log cabin trim, floors, bookshelves, remodels and whole houses.
In the late 90’s Dusty Teamed up with another local carpenter to build a house and Mountaineering Craftsmen was born. Mountaineering craftsmen designed and built all styles of homes to include, standard frame, log, and timber frame. This company did all aspects of building with the exception of mechanicals and after a few years Dusty returned to remodels and smaller projects.
As the life of travel was wearing off, Dusty designed and built his own yurt from wood milled from the local forest,and settled into a cabinet shop for a winter. Dusty met his beautiful wife Jessica and they moved to Seattle WA for her graduate program. Dusty started a remodel company and was off and running with many grand projects and wonderful customers. When school was finished Jessica and Dusty moved back to
In the last few years his interests, frustrations, individual and community health concerns brought him to the ideas in sustainable building and specifically to natural building. He has taken courses in Straw bale, sustainable design, passive solar design, natural finishes and countless hours of self study and research. This is offering his customers a wider perspective on available materials and the cutting edge of the construction industry.
He can now be found enthusiastically talking up a storm about natural building, working on straw bale homes, researching materials, creating fine cabinets, bookshelves and other specialty woodworking projects as well as carrying on with fine remodels, and energy efficient upgrades. He is also certified with the state of CO in the new insulate CO program and is a trained applicator in American Clay products. Other trainings: International energy conservation code, 2 day hot water solar workshop, 3 day natural plaster training (lime Plaster).
Other aspects of Dusty's career include working in a custom cabinet shop, project management on residential building, working supervisor for exterior trim on a commercial project, Retail remodel, a framing sub contractor, a trim/finish carpenter sub contractor as well as paint, tile, plaster, drywall, small shop projects and consultation. Management and communication experience to include NOLS field instructor, Wilderness medicine institute instructor and instructor trainer, Denali Pro Pin reciepiant, consultaion and development of foriegn course offerings, General contracting and project management on numerous projects small to large.
Dusty currently is on the Habitat for Humanity Board, Gunnison Chapter, a founding member of the Gunnison Energy Action Plan, a founding member of the Gunnison Green Builders Guild, and is assisting in Curriculum development, teaching and project management of the Train the Trainers program and currently building a demonstration house at Sinte Gleska University in South Dakota.
